FHE -- 10 Teachings of President Boyd K. Packer to the youth.
OPENING SONG: "True to the Faith" Hymn #254
OPENING PRAYER: (to be assigned)
SCRIPTURE: D&C 18: 26-36 26And now, behold, there are others who are called to declare my gospel, both unto Gentile and unto Jew; 27Yea,
even twelve; and the Twelve shall be my disciples, and they shall take
upon them my name; and the Twelve are they who shall desire to take upon
them my name with full purpose of heart. 28And
if they desire to take upon them my name with full purpose of heart,
they are called to go into all the world to preach my gospel unto every
creature. 29And they are they who are ordained of me to baptize in my name, according to that which is written; 30And you have that which is written before you; wherefore, you must perform it according to the words which are written . 31And now I speak unto you, the Twelve —Behold, my grace is sufficient for you; you must walk uprightly before me and sin not. 32And,
behold, you are they who are ordained of me to ordain priests and
teachers; to declare my gospel, according to the power of the Holy Ghost
which is in you, and according to the callings and gifts of God unto
men; 33And I, Jesus Christ, your Lord and your God, have spoken it. 34These words are not of men nor of man, but of me; wherefore, you shall testify they are of me and not of man; 35For
it is my voice which speaketh them unto you; for they are given by my
Spirit unto you, and by my power you can read them one to another; and
save it were by my power you could not have them; 36Wherefore, you can testify that you have heard my voice, and know my words. LESSON:
President Boyd K. Packer ( President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles 2008–2015)
President Boyd K.
Packer, the President of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church
of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, was set apart to this position on
February 3, 2008. Previously, he was Acting President of the Quorum of
the Twelve Apostles beginning June 5, 1994. Prior to becoming Acting
President, he served as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles,
having been ordained an Apostle on April 9, 1970. He earlier served for
almost nine years as an Assistant to the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. An educator by profession, his
career includes service as supervisor of seminaries and institutes of
religion for the Church and as a member of the Administrative Council of
Brigham Young University. He
studied at Weber College and subsequently received his bachelor of
science and master of science degrees from Utah State University. He
received a doctorate in educational administration from Brigham Young
University.President Packer
was born September 10, 1924, in Brigham City, Utah. He served as a
bomber pilot during World War II in the Pacific Theater.President
Packer served as president of the New England Mission. He is the author
of a number of books and other published works. He is an artist,
particularly of birds. He is married to the former Donna Smith. They are
the parents of ten children.
For the burgers I used fresh ground top sirloin. I cooked them on a cast iron griddle top with onion powder and garlic salt. I also spooned just a little bit of melted butter onto the crust after they had been turned over. I like the top sirloin because I can cook the meat until it is closer to medium than well and not have them be over cooked. I sliced some yellow onions into super thin rings, dipped them in buttermilk and then flour and then fried them to go on top of the burgers. And since I live in Utah, I made fry sauce (mayo and ketchup) for the burgers as well.
Semi-homemade pickles. They keep their bright green color and freshness! After we have finished eating the pickles that came in the jar I slice up a fresh cucumber and add it to the liquid. Refrigerate for at least 24 hours and presto... pickles! You can re-use the liquid twice to make pickles. After that, the flavor is pretty much gone.
Apple Gorgonzola Salad
Romaine lettuce, chopped
baby spinach
Granny Smith apple, sliced or diced
Gorgonzola cheese, crumbled
candied pecans
dried cranberries
purple onion, sliced
Citrus Vinaigrette dressing
Candied Pecans
1 cup pecan halves
1/2 cup sugar
2 Tbsp. egg whites, beaten
In a small bowl combine the ingredients and stir to coat well. Add to a small frying pan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly until the sugar and egg whites have coated and cooked onto the pecans. Remove from heat and set aside.
Citrus Vinaigrette
1/4 cup lime juice (1 lime)
1/4 cup orange juice (1/2 orange)
1/2 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 cup water
1 1/2 Tbsp. honey
1 Tbsp. Dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. dried parsley
1/2 cup EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
Combine all the ingredients except the olive oil and stir until blended. While whisking the ingredients slowly pour the olive oil in. Continue to whisk until olive oil is emulsified into the dressing. Pour the dressing into a cruet or a mason jar with a lid. You will need to shake it again just before serving if the ingredients settle.
Sausage Gravy
1 lb. ground sausage
1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 cups no or low sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 tsp. pepper
In a cast iron pan or frying pan cook the sausage. Add the flour and stir to coat, continue to cook for 1 minute. Next add the chicken broth and heavy cream. Stir and cook over medium heat until the gravy thickens. Add the pepper.
Calzone dough
1 1/2 cups very warm water
1 Tbsp. yeast
1 Tbsp. sugar
3 1/2 cups flour, divided
1 tsp. salt
In a mixing bow,l add the sugar and yeast and water. Set aside for 5 minutes to allow the yeast to bloom. In another bowl add 2 1/2 cups of flour and the salt and stir together. Reserve the last cup of our for later. After the yeast has bloomed, add the flour and salt mixture and combine on low-medium speed with the dough hook. When the flour is incorporated add the reserved cup and let it knead for 5 minutes. Turn the dough out onto your rolling surface or pastry mat and cover with plastic wrap sprayed with non-stick spray. Let the dough rest and rise for 10 minutes.
Other ingredients:
cheese
mushrooms
red, yellow, green bell peppers
onion
Dice the onion and bell peppers and saute in butter or EVOO until tender. When halfway done, add the mushrooms to the pan to cook.
Divide the dough into 8 balls.
Roll out a circle approximately 6-7 inches in diameter. Spoon a small amount of sausage gravy onto one side of the circle. Next add cheese and then the peppers, mushrooms, and onions. Fold the other side over the filling and press the edges together, tucking the edge underneath and pinching it to seal it. Cut a small steam escape hole on the top. Bake at 400 degrees for approximately 20 minutes.
1 lb. ground sausage
1/2 cup flour
1 1/2 cups no or low sodium chicken broth
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 tsp. pepper
In a cast iron pan or frying pan cook the sausage. Add the flour and
stir to coat, continue to cook for 1 minute. Next add the chicken broth
and heavy cream. Stir and cook over medium heat until the gravy
thickens. Add the pepper.
Pizza dough
1 1/2 cups very warm water
1 Tbsp. yeast
1 Tbsp. sugar
3 1/2 cups flour, divided
1 tsp. salt
In a mixing bow,l add the sugar and yeast and water. Set aside for 5
minutes to allow the yeast to bloom. In another bowl add 2 1/2 cups of
flour and the salt and stir together. Reserve the last cup of our for
later. After the yeast has bloomed, add the flour and salt mixture and
combine on low-medium speed with the dough hook. When the flour is
incorporated add the reserved cup and let it knead for 5 minutes. Turn
the dough out onto your rolling surface or pastry mat and cover with
plastic wrap sprayed with non-stick spray. Let the dough rest and rise
for 10 minutes. This recipe makes two 10 round pizzas.
Cut the dough in half. Sprinkle a Tbsp. of cornmeal onto your cast iron griddle or pizza pan to keep the dough from sticking. Place the dough on the pan and stretch it out to the sides. Spoon sausage gravy on to cover the dough leaving a one inch edge. Add cheese on top of the gravy and bake at 400 degrees for approximately 25 minutes. Remove from oven and add fried eggs onto each slice, if desired.
This is Alfonzo Lafeyette Farnsworth Sr. He is my great great grandfather. Last summer I decided to do a little family history research. I created an account on the LDS Family Search and began my family tree. Only 2 generations back I learned something fascinating! A total shock to me!! This paternal grandfather's story is really interesting, especially the part where I learned that he was sent by Brigham Young to settle a new city in the middle of Utah, back in . The city of RICHFIELD! What?? That's right! I have lived here since August of 1997 and did NOT know that my great great grandfather was one of 2 men sent with their families to settle this area. How's that for an amazing coincidence!
SCROLL TO THE BOTTOM OF THIS STORY FOR THE FHE LESSON.
(The following is his story. I have included this for my children. You may want to join Family Search and find your own ancestor's story!)
FROM FAMILY SEARCH:
Alonzo LaFayette Farnsworth, son of Stephen Martindale Farnsworth and
Julia Ann Clark, was born October 22, 1841, in South Bend, Indiana . He
came to Utah in 1852 with the Higby Company of which his Father was
captain. [See LDS Church On-line Archives for additional information.
Although noone in the Farnsworth family kept a journal of this journey,
others in the company did. Some of these journals are available on the
website.] They settled in Pleasant Grove, Utah .
Alonzo married Mary Ann Staker in the Endowment House in Salt Lake City
on September 8, 1866. Mary Ann was a beautiful woman who taught school
in the early days of Utah and wrote beautiful poetry. To her dismay, she
didn't have any children, which in those days was a real tragedy.
After ten years of marriage and no children, Alonzo was advised by
Brigham Young to consider plural marriage. In 1874 he married Christanna
Bertelson of Mount Pleasant, and one year later he married Ida Tietjen,
from Santa Quinn, Utah. In the next twenty years they had seventeen
children, twelve sons and five daughters, of which they were very proud.
Alonzo was a Lieutenant in the Black Hawk Indian War. After the war he
was called to settle Richfield, Utah and was a member of the High
Council there about 1871. Later he was called to settle Joseph City and
live the United Order. He was also the Bishop of Joseph City while he
lived there.
Dancing was one of the recreational activities enjoyed in Joseph City.
Sometimes, especially on holidays, two dances would be going on at once,
one in the school house, and the overflow crowd dancing in the big room
of the Alonzo Farnsworth adobe home across the street.
In 1877 Alonzo was called into President Brigham Young's office.
President Young said, "Lon, I want someone to go to Arizona ( Tuba City )
to make peace with the Indians there. Do you want to go?" Alonzo
replied, "I'll go where I'm told to go." President Young, in a loud
voice said, "Do you want to go?" Father, in a louder voice replied,
"I'll go where I'm told to go." President Young said, "You're the man I
want to go to Arizona and make friends with the Indians. I promise you
and your family will not lose by your going there. I also promise you
and your family health and strength." The family went and did indeed
make friends with the Indians. They took care of sick Indians in their
home and gained the love and confidence of the Indian people. Not one of
the family died from sickness or disease. One child was lost through an
accident and one baby did not live. The other family members lived a
long life.
On one occasion, before they had time to raise a crop, they were waiting
for supplies to come from Salt Lake City and they ran out of food. All
they had was some corn that was so rotten they could not wash it because
it would have just floated away. They cooked the corn and asked God to
bless it that it would nourish and strengthen their bodies. Not one of
them got sick.
Alonzo ran a general store at Tuba City . One day when he was not there,
some Indians came into the store. The clerk saw one of them stealing
wool and shot at him, thinking to frighten them. Instead, he hit the
Indian in the hand, which made he and the others very mad. The Indians
said they would get their friends, come back later that night and kill
everyone in town. The whole town was scared stiff as there was no one
close enough to help them and there were thousands of Indians. The town
people waited in their homes all night long for the Indians to come, but
they didn't show tip that night or the next night. The following day
Alonzo was riding just outside of town when an Indian rode up beside him
and handed him a beautiful blanket and said, "I don't want this," which
was his way of saying, "I want you to have this." The Indian told
Alonzo that a council of war had been held and many Indians wanted to
kill the town people. But, because Alonzo and his families had been very
kind to the Indians and had so many friends among them, the Indian
Chief was persuaded not to attack the village. Alonzo and his families
lived in Tuba City until the government bought all the land and made it
into an Indian Reservation. At that point in time government officials
were bothering the saints because of polygamy and so Alonzo took his families
and went to Mexico .
Alonzo was a carpenter and saw mill man. He could build the nicest
double fireplaces. One side was in the living room, which was also the
parent's bedroom. The other side of the fireplace was the children's
bedroom. The family made big fires with logs, which were plentiful, and
parched corn. This corn was served with thinly sliced dried venison and
ground cherries, which grew all over the valley. There was a large
kitchen with a big majestic range in it. All the wives had this same
type of home a bock or two apart.
In 1910 they went to Salt Lake City for June Conference and to visit all
the relatives in Utah and Idaho. They liked the country and decided to
move to Moreland, Idaho, where they lived until 1920. They then decided
to go back to Mexico to spend their remaining years with their boys,
some of whom had stayed there. Alonzo passed away in his sleep at the
age of ninety years, in Colonia Garcia, Chihuahua, Mexico in the year
1931.
FHE - July 24th PIONEER DAY
OPENING SONG: "Pioneer Children Sang As They Walked" Children's Songbook, page 214
OPENING PRAYER: (to be assigned)
SCRIPTURE: D&C 136: 1-11
1 The Word and Will of the Lord concerning the Camp of Israel in their journeyings to the West:
2 Let all the people of The
Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and those who journey with
them, be organized into companies, with a covenant and promise to keep all the commandments and statutes of the Lord our God.
3 Let the companies be organized with captains of hundreds,
captains of fifties, and captains of tens, with a president and his two
counselors at their head, under the direction of the Twelve Apostles.
4 And this shall be our covenant—that we will walk in all the ordinances of the Lord.
5 Let
each company provide themselves with all the teams, wagons, provisions,
clothing, and other necessaries for the journey, that they can.
6 When the companies are organized let them go to with their might, to prepare for those who are to tarry.
7 Let
each company, with their captains and presidents, decide how many can
go next spring; then choose out a sufficient number of able-bodied and
expert men, to take teams, seeds, and farming utensils, to go as
pioneers to prepare for putting in spring crops.
8 Let each company bear an equal proportion, according to the dividend of their property, in taking the poor, the widows, the fatherless, and the families of those who have gone into the army, that the cries of the widow and the fatherless come not up into the ears of the Lord against this people.
9 Let each company prepare houses, and fields for raising grain, for those who are to remain behind this season; and this is the will of the Lord concerning his people.
10 Let every man use all his influence and property to remove this people to the place where the Lord shall locate a stake of Zion.
11 And if ye do this with a pure heart, in all faithfulness, ye shall be blessed; you shall be blessed in your flocks, and in your herds, and in your fields, and in your houses, and in your families.
"On a day such as this when our hearts and minds are turned to the great
sacrifices of those pioneers, our praise for them is empty if it does
not cause inner reflection on our part. Today I would like to talk about
a few of the attributes that inspire me as I contemplate the sacrifice
and commitment of those great souls.
Number 1: Compassion
The pioneers looked out for one another. They cared for each other
irrespective of their social, economic, or political background. Even
when it slowed their progress, even when it caused inconvenience, even
when it meant personal sacrifice and toil, they helped each other.
n our goal-driven and partisan world, individual or party objectives
can sometimes take precedence over taking care of fellowmen or
strengthening the kingdom of God. In today’s society, reaching certain
ideological goals can appear to be a measure of our worth. Setting and
achieving goals can be a wonderful thing. But when success in reaching
goals comes at the expense of disregarding, ignoring, or hurting others,
the cost of that success may be too precious. The pioneers not only looked after those in their company, but they
considered those who came after them—they planted crops for the wagon
trains that followed to harvest, whoever those harvesters might be. They
included people of all walks of life. They learned the practical benefits of helping others. It must have
given them comfort to know that just as they reached out to others, when
the time came that they needed help, others would reach out to them.
In our day, it is easy to isolate ourselves, look only to our own
desires, and discount the interests of others. The pioneers knew the
strength of family and friends. And because they depended on each other
they became strong. Friends became family. They knew that becoming
insulated and thinking primarily of themselves was a road that would
lead to almost certain disaster.
In our world, examples of self-interest and self-indulgence are so
abundant. It is very easy to slip into that mindset. The pioneers serve
as a good reminder of why we must break away from the temptation to
isolate ourselves and, instead, reach out to help each other.
Number 2: Work
The pioneers knew the value of work. The first line of that great
pioneer hymn is “Come, come, ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear.” This phrase became an anthem to the weary travelers—“No toil nor labor
fear.” It is difficult to imagine how hard these great souls worked.
Walking was one of the easiest things they did. They all had to pull together to supply and provide food,
repair wagons, tend to the animals, minister to the sick and feeble,
seek and collect water, and protect themselves from the pressing dangers
of the elements and the many hazards of the wilderness.
Today we sometimes struggle in the morning to get out of our soft
beds and into the bathroom for a hot shower. We eat a nutritious
breakfast and drive in comfortable cars to air-conditioned offices.
We can learn something from the pioneers. They woke up each morning
with clearly defined purposes and goals that everyone understood—to
serve God and fellowmen and to arrive in the Salt Lake Valley. Every day
those purposes and goals were clear to them; they knew what they needed
to do and that each day’s progress mattered. They knew they couldn’t simply take a day off. Each day they literally
put their shoulders to the wheel in order to get closer to their new
place of refuge. Some days they made good progress. Some days they made
little. But they didn’t have the option to give up. In spite of feeling
overwhelmed, in spite of many good reasons to become discouraged and
disheartened, they did not give up. They could not give up. No matter
how difficult, no matter how much they wanted to do something else, they
kept their eyes on their goal and on their purpose. Each day and with
every step they edged relentlessly closer to their destination. In our time—when so much of what we desire is so easily within our
reach—it is tempting to turn aside or give up whenever the road ahead
seems a little bumpy or when the slope tends to rise so steeply before
us. In those moments, it might inspire us to reflect on those men,
women, and children who did not allow sickness, hardship, pain, and even
death to deter them from their chosen path.
But the pioneers did not work only because they had to. In the
process, their labors enlarged their character and broadened their
understanding. Work diminished their natural tendencies toward self-love
and magnified their understanding of their divine nature. It heightened
their compassion for others. In the labors of each day they discovered
and solidified an inner strength and profound spiritual depth.
They learned that doing the hard things—even applying themselves to
the tasks they really did not want to do—deepened and strengthened body,
mind, and spirit. This habit firmed their souls and became a blessing
to them long after their trek across the plains and mountains had ended.
Number 3: Optimism
When the pioneers sang “Come, Come, Ye Saints,” they voiced a third lesson: “But with joy wend your way.”
It is one of the great ironies of our age that we are blessed with so
much and yet we can be so unhappy. The wonders of prosperity and
technology overwhelm us and shower us with security, entertainment,
instant gratification, and convenience. And yet all around us we see so
much unhappiness.
How many people do you know who are truly happy? Can you say the same for yourself?
The pioneers, those wonderful souls who sacrificed so much, went
without and hungered for even the most basic of necessities to survive.
The pioneers understood something about happiness. They understood that
happiness doesn’t come as a result of luck or accident. It most
certainly doesn’t come from having all of our wishes come true.
Happiness doesn’t come from external circumstance. It comes from the
inside—regardless of what is happening around us.
If they were here with us today there is no doubt in my mind that
they would tell us we can be gloriously happy even if our favorite TV
show is cancelled, traffic comes to a crawl, the rain spoils our picnic,
or the fast food worker forgot to include straws or packets of ketchup
at the drive-through window.
I do not need to tell you stories of pioneer tribulations or the
deprivations they faced. I do not need to tell you of how they went
without food, how they suffered in sickness, endured heat and cold, and
how they tearfully buried their loved ones in shallow graves.
And yet, listen! Can you hear them? Can you hear their voices
singing? “We’ll make the air with music ring, shout praises to our God
and King.”
Oh, what inspiration we can take from this.
When we complain about a Church meeting that has gone four minutes
over its allotted time, perhaps we can hear the voices of those blessed
pioneers: “Why should we mourn or think our lot is hard? 'Tis not so;
all is right.”
When we cover our face with our hands and complain that someone else
got the promotion, someone else got the part, someone else got the
biggest slice of pizza, it might be helpful to remind ourselves that
there is a difference between the profound and trivial.
The pioneers sang, “But if our lives are spared again to see the
Saints their rest obtain, oh, how we’ll make this chorus swell—all is
well! All is well!”
So often our excuses for not being happy are in reality trivial and
vain, as though we are looking for a reason to be at odds with the
world—as though we want to prove somehow that we cannot experience joy.
The pioneers knew that the things around them did not determine their
happiness, but the things within most certainly did. And with that
spirit they found happiness in every circumstance and in every
trial—even in those trials that reached down and troubled the deep
waters of their very souls.
The pioneers were not supermen and superwomen. They were just like
you and me. How often did they wonder if they could go on? They must
have asked themselves over and again, “Can I do what I have been asked
to do?” But they pressed on. In faith, one step at a time, they pressed on.
They trusted in God and His divine and merciful plan. And they left a
legacy that will inspire and strengthen generations to come.
In the end, the best way we can honor the pioneers—the best way for
us to repay our debt of gratitude to them—goes beyond making and hearing
speeches, marching in parades, or attending fireworks celebrations.
The best way we can show our gratitude is by incorporating into our
own lives the faithfulness to God’s commandments, the compassion and
love for our fellowmen, the industry, optimism, and joy the pioneers
demonstrated so well in their own lives.
CLOSING SONG: "Come, Come Ye Saints" Hymn #30
CLOSING PRAYER: (to be assigned)
Cheesy Chicken Bacon Ranch Stew
3 chicken breasts, diced (approx. 3 cups)
8 slices bacon, diced
2 Tbsp. EVOO
3 cups potatoes, diced
1 1/2 cups carrots, sliced
1 medium onion, diced
4 Tbsp. butter (1/2 stick)
1 cup flour
1 Tbsp. ranch dip mix (I use Uncle Dan's)
2 Tbsp. parmesan cheese
1 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup water
2 cups cheddar cheese, grated
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. In a hot cast iron skillet add the EVOO and cook the bacon pieces. Remove the crispy bacon and set aside. In a gallon sized ziploc bag combine the flour, ranch mix, and parmesan cheese. Add the chicken to the mix and toss to coat. Shake off the excess flour mix and brown the chicken pieces in the bacon grease and oil. Remove the skillet from the heat, take the chicken out and set it aside. In the bottom of the skillet layer the vegetables. Onions first, then potatoes, then carrots. Pour the 1/2 cup of water over the vegetables. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper. Slice the butter into 4 pieces and place on top of vegetables. Next add the chicken layer and then the bacon on top. Cover with foil tightly and bake for 45 minutes. Remove the foil, add the cheese on top and place back in the oven for 10 minutes.
This would be fun to make in a dutch oven for camping, I just need some help figuring out the amount of coals needed on the bottom and the lid to reach the right temperature and cooking time. :)
FHE -- The Mists of Darkness. Avoiding Temptation.
OPENING SONG: "Choose The Right" Hymn #239
OPENING PRAYER: (to be assigned.)
SCRIPTURE: 1 Nephi 8, 12:17
Lehi was a prophet who lived long ago. He had a dream about the way to
eternal life. In his dream, Lehi saw a beautiful tree. The tree stood
for the love our Heavenly Father has for us. Its fruit was eternal life.
There was a straight and narrow path leading to the tree. Along the
path was a rod of iron. The rod of iron represented the word of God, or
his commandments. A river ran beside the path, and it was full of filthy
water. The river represented the wickedness and sin in the world that
people can fall into. As Lehi watched people moving along the path,
there arose mists of darkness that made it hard for them to see where
they were going. Many of the people clung to the rod of iron to stay on
the path. Others wandered in the mists of darkness and were lost. Those
who held to the rod reached the tree. 1 Nephi 12:17 And the mists of darkness are the temptations of the devil, which blindeth the eyes, and hardeneth the hearts of the children of men, and leadeth them away into broad roads, that they perish and are lost.
LESSON:
Temptation is a test of a person's ability to choose good instead of
evil. It is an enticement to sin and follow Satan instead of God. Part
of the experience of this life is to learn to overcome temptation and to
choose right over wrong. Modern revelation indicates that Satan does
not have power to tempt little children until they begin to be
accountable for their actions (see D&C 29:47).
Since the Fall of Adam and Eve, people
have had an inclination to follow earthly desires and to succumb to
appetites and passions. This life was given as a time in which God's
children could learn to use their agency to overcome temptation and to
choose of their own free will to follow Jesus Christ.
The
last days in which we live are especially “perilous times” (2 Timothy
3:1). The influence of the adversary is widespread and seductive. Satan
tries to deceive and to make sin seem appealing. But each individual can
defeat Satan and overcome temptation. Each individual has the gift of
agency—the power to choose good over evil. Those who humble themselves
before God and pray continually for strength will not be “tempted above
that which [they] can bear” (Alma 13:28). As they willingly obey the
commandments, Heavenly Father strengthens them to withstand temptation.
QUESTION:
What can we do to help us avoid temptation and make righteous choices?
The following are some principles we can use: (copied from lds.org)
(Have family members take turns reading these.)
1. Centering one's life on the Savior. The prophet Helaman counseled his
sons, “Remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who
is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when
the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the
whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon
you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of
misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built,
which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they
cannot fall” (Helaman 5:12).
2. Praying for strength. When the resurrected Savior came to the Nephites,
He taught the multitude: “Ye must watch and pray always lest ye enter
into temptation; for Satan desireth to have you, that he may sift you as
wheat. Therefore ye must always pray unto the Father in my name” (3
Nephi 18:18-19). In the latter days He has given similar counsel: “Pray
always, that you may come off conqueror; yea, that you may conquer
Satan, and that you may escape the hands of the servants of Satan that
do uphold his work” (D&C 10:5).
3. Studying the scriptures daily. Nephi taught, “Whoso would hearken unto
the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish;
neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary
overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction” (1
Nephi 15:24; see also Helaman 3:29-30).
4. Filling one's life with goodness. When life is filled with goodness, no room is left to do evil.
5. Avoiding tempting places and situations. Places or situations where
temptations are likely to come should be avoided. Inappropriate material
in magazines, books, television, movies, and music and on the Internet
should also be avoided.
6. Striving to influence others for good. Latter-day disciples of Jesus
Christ can be in the world but “not of the world” (see John 17:14-18).
They can strive to influence others to live good and wholesome lives by
setting a righteous example, being a good friend, participating in
community service, and, as appropriate, letting their voices be heard in
defense of moral values.
7. Never hesitating in decisions to withstand temptation. The Savior
“suffered temptations but gave no heed unto them” (D&C 20:22). When
Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, the Lord never wavered. His
answer was quick and firm: “Get thee behind me, Satan” (Luke 4:8). James
counseled: “Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to
God, and he will draw nigh to you” (James 4:7-8).
OPENING SONG: "I Feel My Savior's Love" Children's Songbook #74
OPENING PRAYER: (to be assigned)
SCRIPTURE: Alma 37:38-46 38And now, my son, I
have somewhat to say concerning the thing which our fathers call a
ball, or director—or our fathers called it Liahona , which is, being
interpreted, a compass; and the Lord prepared it. 39And
behold, there cannot any man work after the manner of so curious a
workmanship. And behold, it was prepared to show unto our fathers the
course which they should travel in the wilderness. 40And
it did work for them according to their faith in God; therefore, if
they had faith to believe that God could cause that those spindles
should point the way they should go, behold, it was done; therefore they
had this miracle, and also many other miracles wrought by the power of
God, day by day. 41Nevertheless,
because those miracles were worked by small means it did show unto them
marvelous works. They were slothful , and forgot to exercise their
faith and diligence and then those marvelous works ceased, and they did
not progress in their journey; 42Therefore,
they tarried in the wilderness, or did not travel a direct course, and
were afflicted with hunger and thirst, because of their transgressions. 43And now, my son, I
would that ye should understand that these things are not without a
shadow ; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass
(now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is
with things which are spiritual. 44For
behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will
point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our
fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a
straight course to the promised land. 45And
now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as
this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the
promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course,
carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise. 46O
my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way ;
for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if
they would look they might live ; even so it is with us. The way is
prepared, and if we will look we may live forever. QUESTIONS: 1. Why is faith in God so necessary? 2. Do you believe that Heavenly Father loves you and wants what is best for you, even when he allows you to go through trials? 3. Why is it that at times we are asked to follow His directions with faith and not a complete knowledge? 4. Do you trust the Lord enough to trust His process and endure your trials? 5. How can we help others endure their hard times? 6. How important is our attitude during our struggles, whether large or small? VIDEO: Come What May and Love It Joseph B, Wirthlin
When has a trial turned into a blessing in your life? If you are enduring a trial right now, can you see any possible blessings you have received now or will in the future? Have you learned or grown through your struggle? What can you do to support someone else struggling? What help do YOU need to endure your struggle? Have you counted your blessing lately? ACTIVITY IDEA: Idea List: Count Your Blessings
CLOSING SONG: "Count Your Blessings" Hymnbook #241 CLOSING PRAYER: (to be assigned.)
REFRESHMENTS: Orange Julius and buttered popcorn. here
Street Tacos
2 lbs. ground beef ( I use 93% lean so I don't have to drain it.)
1 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
1 tsp. oregano
1/2 tsp. paprika
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. pepper
corn tortillas
1 medium white onion
1 bunch cilantro
lime wedges
Avocado Jalapeno Crema
1 ripe avocado
1 cup sour cream
1/4 cup hot jalapeno liquid (from a jar of canned jalapenos)
1/4 - 1/3 cup water
In a blender jar add the avocado, sour cream, jalapeno liquid and 1/4 cup water. Blend until smooth. Add more water until it is a thick sauce consistency. Pour it into a ziploc bag and cut the corner off to add to the tacos. Set aside.
Cook the ground beef and add the cumin, chili powder, oregano, paprika, salt, and pepper.
Dice the white onion and chop the cilantro. Mix them together in a small bowl. Over a low flame cook the corn tortillas, just until they begin to brown on the edges, one at a time. (I lay them right on top of the burner to cook.) Turn the tortilla every 20 seconds for about a minute or two. Top with ground beef, onion cilantro mix and crema, and then squeeze fresh lime juice across the top.
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